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July 8, 2010

HUMDINGER !

It was an extraordinary event that I was able to capture pictures of the Hummingbird that visited the Monarda (Bee Balm) this morning.

I was on the deck taking in the many sights around me, butterflies, birds, chipmunks, and rabbits when I heard a loud call from a Bluejay high on the pine branch . He flew away too fast for a picture, much to my dismay, but something else caught my eye by the Monarda, and my camera and I were at the ready.

"Have you ever observed a humming-bird moving about in an aerial dance among the flowers - a living prismatic gem....it is a creature of such fairy-like loveliness as to mock all description."

~W.H. Hudson,Green Mansions

There are three kinds of Hummingbirds that are usually seen in Massachusetts from May to mid-September:

~Ruby-throated Hummingbird

~Rufous Hummingbird

~Allen's Hummingbird

All three of the males have brightly colored throats but females do not.

I believe this bird to be afemale Rufous Hummingbird. In some of the pictures you can see black streaks mixed in with the white at her throat. And her feathers and crown are the same green.

"Ruby-throated females have white feathers that cover their throats. Rufous females have white feathers covering their throats as well, but they also have dark colored feathers streaking throughout the white feathers. Female Allen's Hummingbirds also have white feathers covering their throats, but also have red feathers that create spots throughout their white throats. "

6 comments:

Very cool! You probably already know this but the red petals of bee balm are very tasty! You can use them in salads (as long as they haven't been sprayed with a fungicide or anything). Try putting one petal on your tongue. It has a magical taste - a little sweet, a little fruity - hard to describe but delicious.

You did it!!! Wonderful! I believe I had a female vistor yesterday, but I WAS NOT camera ready... It was down in the basement office! By the time I got back upstairs my little friend had moved on! Good for you! Dandelion Wishes,Deb~

When sitting, just sit.When eating, just eat.When walking, just walk.When talking, just talk.When listening, just listen.When looking, just look.When touching, just touch.When thinking, just think.When playing, just play.And enjoy the feeling of each moment and each day.

~from Everyday Blessings

MAKE A NATURE WEAVING

MAKE A MANDALA

MAKE A SUNCATCHER

MAKE A FAERIE RING

MAKE A BIRD NEST

MAKE A BIRD HAVEN

MAKE MARBLEIZED PAPER

MAKE A GEOBOARD

Make ROCK PHOTO HOLDERS

MAKE PRINTS ON FABRIC

MAKE A FUNKY BRANCH

Make egg art

The more you praise and celebrate your life,

the more there is in life to celebrate.

~oprah winfrey

Happiness is not a station you arrive at, but a manner of traveling.- Margaret B. Runbeck

May the Sun bring you new energy by day.

May the Moon softly restore you by night.

May the Rain wash away your worries.

May the Breeze blow new strength into your being.

May you walk gently through the world and know its beauty all the days of your life.